Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all! My name is Kevin and I am interested in aquaponics as a way of being self-sufficient for food.

I have done a little [s]pot[/s] container gardening in the past with lackluster results.

I do have a little experience with fish. In college I kept a 30 gal tank of Lake Malawi African cichlids. I currently have a 55 gal tank with a hypostomus plecostomus (aka "giant pleco", "sucker fish") and some rainbow variety cyprinids. The 55 gal runs on a Fluval canister filter. The 30 gal tank is sitting on my back porch collecting rain water and leaves.

I'd like to get both tanks setup on aquaponics but not sure where to start. I've only been reading about aquaponics for the past week and a half and am very interested in it. I look to you guys and gals here as you've got more experience than I do. I've been reading but it still doesn't equate for real world experience.

Edit: Forgot to mention what I would like to grow. Basically, all sorts of veggies (tomato, cucumber, squash, onions, celery, radish, carrots), herbs (basil, thyme, cilantro, parsley), leafy greens(all sorts), wheatgrass and possibly maybe some fruits (strawberries).

I only got interested in aquaponics after doing some research on hydroponics. It seems like aquaponics is superior to hydroponics in some ways.

Welcome, Kevin!! Where in the USA are you?

I only discovered AP last year, and have learned a lot. If you have ideas and can post pics/drawings, we like to critique. We do have some operational tank systems. I think it's Jay in Milwaukee who has a really nice tank system with standing PVC columns for his plants. I'll even have mercy and go look up a link for it.

Here you go--something to whet your appetite!!

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/vie ... sc&start=0

Oh, and we have some galleries of Small/Medium/Large systems that you can see here, although none of the aquarium folks posted theirs in the galleries.

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=18

Mine is Medium (Just barely big enough).

Welcome Kevin, have fun with your new addiction

Updated my profile... Oklahoma.

Hi Kevin, welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of aquaponics...

Have a look at

Anna's System

for some aquarium aquaponics inspiration...

wazzup Kevin.... welcome. Wait...r u on myspace???

Perhaps. Why, do you know me?

Hi Kevin,
Welcome! I'm from Missouri, Down River Dan is from Kansas, Mathew is from S. Texas and OORamper is from Chicago. Like you, OORamper only has space for a small tank system (last time I knew he was setting up three fifty gallon aquariums he had scavenged).
If you've got questions there are lots of knowledgable people here who can answer a lot of questions or direct you to it.
Depending on where you live in OK you can make a trip to S&S Aquafarms, there are in West Plains MO. I know they are operating larger systems, but the principles apply in any system you might have.
Kevin

Wow... I was actually in those parts twice this summer. I canoed and then kayaked the Spring River in Mammoth Springs, AR. In fact, we drove right through West Plains. And I have a place I go to every now and then in Ridgedale, MO.

So, does S&S Aquafarms give tours?

Email S&S and find out. I know they have in the past.
http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/index.html

Hi Kevin, welcome to the forum...plenty of AP reading to do here and lots of great ideas...enjoy

Hey Kevin, welcome. You are so lucky to be close to S & S. I would love to be able to visit a large system.

Kevin,
I got an e-mail from Mathew, he said that he had tried to get in contact with the Spearano's at S&S. Paula got back with him last night and told him that she had sold the property and was moving, no info as to whether or not she was going to reopen at another location or if the one she sold will stay open. In the past they used to give tours, and did some consulting/education, but after Tom passed away (?) as to the future plans. Sorry I gave you some out of date info.
Kevin